PAUL MURPHY wrote himself into Kilmore United folklore on Sunday last as he single-handedly landed them the Neil O'sullivan Cup.

NEIL O'SULLIVAN CUP FINAL KILMORE UNITED 3 WEXFORD CELTIC 2

United faced Wexford Celtic in Murrintown for the right to raise the trophy, and Murphy returned home with the match ball as well as a winner's medal after bagging all three of his side's goals in a 3-2 victory.

Murphy grabbed the first instalment of his treble just before the half-time break.

Shane Cassidy's free kick was spilled and Murphy was on hand to pounce and turn in the rebound to give his side the precious lead at the interval.

Murphy then extended his side's advantage on the hour mark when he headed home Aaron Goff's pinpoint free kick.

Celtic had 20 minutes to save their skins and they pulled one back, but within minutes Murphy had restored his side's two-goal lead when he was sent crashing to the turf in the area to win a penalty.

The striker dusted himself down and confidently dispatched the spot kick.

The drama wasn't over quite yet though and when Celtic were awarded a penalty of their own they were also successful from 12 yards to set up a nervy finish for United.

But Murphy and co. hung on and thus were crowned the Neil O'sullivan Cup champions.

After the game club captain Garry Moore dedicated the win to Breda Sinnott, wife of Kilmore United Chairman William Sinnott, who sadly passed away last weekend.